© City of Hilden

Energy management system

The city of Hilden is setting up a municipal energy management system (EMS) to systematically record, evaluate and continuously improve the use of energy in its buildings. The aim is to make energy consumption transparent, identify potential savings and implement measures effectively - in an economically sensible manner and in the interests of climate protection.

The project "KSI: Introduction of energy management in the city of Hilden" is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag. (Funding reference number: 67K26416).

The project runs from January 1, 2026 to November 30, 2028.

  • What is an energy management system?

    An energy management system is a structured and holistic approach to controlling energy consumption. It includes:

    • Clear energy policy goals
    • Defined processes and responsibilities
    • Measurement and controlling systems (e.g. meters, key figures, evaluations)
    • Continuous review and improvement of energy-related performance

    In this way, the use of energy in municipal buildings and technical facilities is permanently optimized.

  • Benefits for the city of Hilden

    A functioning EMS offers the city numerous advantages:

    • Reduce costs: Transparent consumption data enables targeted savings measures and reduces energy costs in the long term.
    • Strengthen climate protection: Less energy consumption means fewer CO₂ emissions.
    • Legal certainty & funding: Legal requirements are met, funding opportunities can be better utilized.
    • Better basis for decision-making: Reliable data supports investments, e.g. when renovating or replacing technology.
    • Role model function: The city takes responsibility and provides impetus for citizens and local stakeholders.

    In short, the energy management system creates transparency, enables continuous improvements and at the same time supports budget consolidation, climate targets and the strategic management of the municipality.

  • Contribution to greenhouse gas neutrality

    On December 13, 2022, the Hilden City Council decided to aim for the German government's climate protection targets for 2045 by 2035. Reducing energy consumption is a central building block on this path. In addition to positive effects for climate protection, it also helps to relieve the burden on the municipal budget and strengthens the city's economic capacity to act.

  • Why a systematic approach is necessary

    Numerous consumption data from past and current surveys are already available today. However, it is only through a structured energy management system that this data can be meaningfully evaluated, linked together and used to make effective decisions. The EMS creates the organizational prerequisites for using scarce financial and human resources in a targeted and efficient manner for energy-saving measures.

    The administration is therefore pursuing the systematic development and permanent consolidation of an energy management system with the aim of subsequent certification and recertification.

  • Kom.EMS - the municipal energy management system

    The city of Hilden uses the Kom.EMS tool to develop its EMS. Kom.EMS is a joint development project of the energy agencies from Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, in which North Rhine-Westphalia is now also participating via the state company NRW.Energy4Climate.

    Kom.EMS is an online-based tool that supports municipalities in this process,

    • evaluate their energy management on the basis of transparent criteria,
    • optimize structures and processes,
    • to permanently secure and evaluate energy-saving successes,
    • review the effectiveness of measures and support programs.

    The holistic approach involves all relevant administrative levels - an important prerequisite for sustainable savings success. Kom.EMS also offers the possibility of certification and a high-profile award.

  • National climate protection initiative

    With the National Climate Initiative, the German government has been initiating and funding numerous projects that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions since 2008. Its programs and projects cover a broad spectrum of climate protection activities: From the development of long-term strategies to concrete assistance and investment-based funding measures. This diversity is a guarantee for good ideas. The National Climate Initiative helps to anchor climate protection on the ground. It benefits consumers as well as companies, local authorities and educational institutions.

    (www.klimaschutz.de/kommunalrichtlinie)